Vet by day, stand-up comedian by night

This week, we're delighted to bring you an interview with the remarkable Dr. Mansum, who combines her passion for animals with (..drum roll...) stand-up comedy. It’s an original mix of professions, and she weaves them together to brilliant effect.

In other news, ‘petflation’ has shown signs of slowing (that said, the jury is out following new tariffs from the U.S. and China). Plus, the U.S.’s largest rural retailer, Tractor Supply Company, has launched its own animal pharmacy service.

IN TODAY’S EDITION

📈 ‘Petflation’ falls in March ● ‘Petflation’ fell to 1.3% in March, compared to 2.4% in February and 3.8% a year earlier, according to John Gibbons of PetBusinessProfessor.com. Veterinary services continued to post high inflation, reaching 5.9% in March (albeit down from 9.6% a year earlier - see Gibbons’ March 2025 report).

🇬🇧 Pets at Home halts rabbit sales over Easter amid animal welfare concerns ● From April 18-21, Pets at Home will temporarily halt sales of rabbits at its 460 UK stores. The move addresses concerns over the welfare of impulse-buy rabbits, which can end in rabbits dying or being abandoned. 

🇨🇳 Chinese researchers find heavy metals in imported pet food ● The paper, published in the journal Scientific Reports, found that chromium, mercury and arsenic were the most prevalent combined contaminants across all types of pet food.

🇺🇸 Tractor Supply Company launches animal pharmacy service ● Tractor Supply Company, the U.S.’s largest rural lifestyle retailer, has launched Tractor Supply Rx, a low-cost pet and animal pharmacy offering. The service will allow customers to shop for animal medications, enroll in automatic delivery and receive pharmacy advice.

THE INTERVIEW: HOW DR MANSUM USES COMEDY TO HELP CATS

When it comes to animal health, most veterinarians reach for a stethoscope.

Dr. Mansum also reaches for a microphone. 

A practicing vet, published author, illustrator, and stand-up comedian, Vancouver-based Dr. Mansum has created an unlikely but compelling path that combines humour and cat welfare.

“I grew up in a humourless household, to be quite honest,” she said. “It's something that I discovered as an adult.”

About a year ago, faced with considerable work stress, Dr. Mansum decided to sign up for stand-up comedy classes.

“I just kind of fell in love with comedy, and I also fell in love with public speaking.”

That discovery blossomed into stand-up gigs and joke writing, which Dr. Mansum now combines with her mission to improve cat welfare.

“It turns out that comedy is a brilliant way to get people to care. I can talk about cat carriers without sounding like a lecture.”

Getting to that point wasn’t always easy, though. Dr. Mansum recalls how nervous she felt during her first stand-up show.

Happily, she won the crowd over.

“They actually laughed a lot. I was surprised. Like, they also laughed at times when I didn't expect them to laugh.”

Cat carrier warrior

Dr. Mansum, who works as a relief vet in Vancouver, became deeply concerned by one issue in particular: the dreaded cat carrier. 

“I want to help all the poor cats who are terrified of the carrier. I've been a vet for almost 15 years, and over the years, I just saw so many cats fighting with their owners. People show up covered in scratches, or don’t show up at all.”

The horror stories stack up: from spiderweb-filled boxes to one particularly memorable carrier that contained a cat …and an axe (“Yes, an axe!”). 

“A lot of people are still using rusty carriers from the 1980s, older than most of the people working in vet clinics.”

So Dr. Mansum wrote and illustrated a book, The Ins and Outs of Cat Carriers: A Veterinarian’s Guide to Cat Carriers, filled with real-life anecdotes and illustrations.

For six years, Dr. Mansum juggled writing and full-time work. She drew by hand every pie chart (some, adorably, shaped like tuna cans).

When asked about the best way to put a cat into a carrier, she’s quick with advice: “Feet first is best. If the carrier opens at the top, drop them in gently. If not, tilt the carrier so the door is facing up, and lower them in that way.”

“And never use a broken or zip-tied carrier. Cats have escaped, and it’s terrifying, especially in a busy parking lot.”

Despite her growing platform, Dr. Mansum admits the journey hasn’t been easy. “The comedy world is competitive. You get rejected a lot, even for unpaid gigs. But I recently got my first paid show, so I guess it’s not just a hobby anymore.”

What’s next?

“My second book, on litter boxes and house soiling, is about 70% done,” she said. “It’s a tough topic. Many cats are surrendered or even euthanised because of it, but it’s preventable with the right knowledge.”

Whether on stage, online, or in print, Dr. Mansum is proving that laughter really is the best medicine, especially when it helps cats live healthier, happier lives.

Dr. Mansum’s book is available now on Amazon and Waterstones (UK).

To follow Dr. Mansum on social media:

Dr. Mansum on Instagram

What is the best way to get a cat into the carrier?

Feet first: If you have a carrier that has a lid on top, just open the lid on top and gently put the cat in feet first. If you have a carrier of only one door (e.g. on the side), tilt the carrier onto the side with the opening facing the ceiling, and put them in feet first.

Training: It's better if you train the cats to get used to the carrier. If you leave the carrier out all the time, they can sleep in it, play in it, and nap in it. You can even put treats in there for them to eat in there. When the carrier is put it in storage, cats will realise the only time they see it is when they have to go to the vet.

Never use a broken carrier: Cats can escape - if the door is broken, cats can push the door open and get out. 

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